Chad Kirchner | Kinetic & Interactive Art | Traverse City, MI
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Artist Snapshot
- Name: Chad Kirchner
- Location: Traverse City, MI
- Discipline: Kinetic & Interactive Art
- Medium: Interactive Installations
- Website: https://idiem.com
- ArtPrize Entry Link
- https://www.thealluvion.org/
Chad Kirchner is a Traverse City, Michigan artist who designs and builds kinetic and interactive art, often in partnership with Tim Pierce (Kirchner and Pierce). His work uses movement and interaction, with a focus on creating feelings of joy and awe. Kirchner describes human-centered design as part of his process, beginning with the feelings he wants a piece to elicit and continuing through prototyping, feedback, iteration, and final construction.
Chad Kirchner and Tim Pierce were accepted to ArtPrize 2026, where they will present a 20-foot kinetic installation at 1101 Godfrey in Grand Rapids from September 18 through October 3, 2026. The installation is described as a kinetic murmuration that moves with wind created by people walking nearby. From a distance, it resembles a flock of starlings moving together; up close, its individual forms are cats in various stages of falling. Kirchner is seeking additional visibility for his work and opportunities to have people see the art and commission new pieces.
This Attention Grant funded by Sponsorship from: Traverse City Design Week (Oct. 4-10, 2026)
Tell us about your work.
I design and build kinetic and interactive art that makes you go wow. I try to elicit feelings of joy and awe, and I use human-centered design through all stages of the piece, from focusing on the feelings I want to elicit to prototyping, getting feedback, iterating, and completing the final build.
What’s something you’ve been noticing lately that’s influencing your work?
Whenever I go to museums I always want to touch the art. And I find art that I get to touch and interact with is always where I have the most fun and spend the most time. So I want to do more of that.
What kind of environments or moments make you feel most creatively alive?
Anytime I feel a sense of awe or wonder, I’m inspired to make. And working with like minded creators makes all the difference.
Is there a piece, project, or idea you keep returning to lately?
I just finished a piece for ArtPrize 2026 in (1101 Godfrey) Grand Rapids. It’s a 20′ installation of a murmuration that moves from the wind from your body when you walk near it. I love that you can just walk around and see it move as you move. I love that it looks like a flock of starlings from afar moving together, but when you’re up close it’s cats in various stages of falling. I like the shift between the unity and flow of a flock to the chaos and individuality of a singular cat. Also, it’s hilarious.
What’s something people often misunderstand about your work or process?
I don’t know if it’s misunderstood, but using human centered design to focus on the feelings I want to elicit and then prototyping, getting feedback, iterating, and doing a final build is the cornerstone of what makes the work unique and a lot of fun to make.
What feels especially important to you right now, creatively or personally?
Carrying joy through the process and the work and helping others feel that awe and joy.
Has living in or around your local area shaped your work in any way?
Living in Northern Michigan provides inspiration everyday. For me, there’s just so much to do and see and explore.
What’s been energizing you lately?
Getting to be a part of ArtPrize 2026! And seeing these ideas come to life. Also, seeing new interactive projects come through. It’s just fun to bring more joy to my community.
What’s been difficult lately?
Just juggling the responsibilities of being a parent, being fully present with my family and friends, running a business that pays the bills, and building a new business of joy in art.
Materials & Process
- Designs and builds kinetic and interactive art.
- Uses human-centered design throughout the stages of creating a piece.
- Focuses on the feelings he wants a work to elicit.
- Uses prototyping, feedback, iteration, and a final build as part of his process.
- Creates work that people can interact with and experience through movement.
- Chad Kirchner works in partnership with Tim Pierce (Kirchner and Pierce)
ArtPrize 2026 Installation
Kirchner and Pierce recently finished a 20-foot installation for ArtPrize 2026 at 1101 Godfrey in Grand Rapids.
Kirchner describes the piece as a murmuration that moves from the wind created by a person’s body when they walk near it. From afar, it looks like a flock of starlings moving together. Up close, the individual forms are cats in various stages of falling.
Kirchner described the contrast between the unity and flow of a flock and the chaos and individuality of a singular cat as part of the idea behind the piece.
Kirchner supplied https://www.thealluvion.org/ as a link to recent work, events, or projects.
Work is by Chad Kirchner and Tim Pierce (Kirchner and Pierce)
ArtPrize 2026
- Venue: 1101 Godfrey
- City: Grand Rapids, MI
- Date: September 18–October 3, 2026
Kirchner will present a 20-foot installation described as a kinetic murmuration that moves from the wind created by people walking nearby.
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